About

The Wandsworth Business Awards is an exciting programme developed and organised by Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce to reward and celebrate the borough‘s many dynamic and innovative businesses.

The awards will culminate with a glittering awards dinner at the end of November. This exciting evening will showcase the business excellence that companies throughout the borough provide and give them the opportunity to network and raise their profile.

At a time when Wandsworth is benefiting from considerable investment and business growth, what better time to be associated with Wandsworth's business community?

Judging Tips

The judging panel will consist of representatives from our category sponsors and industry professionals. When thinking about completing your entry form, remember that this is your opportunity to shine. The judges will collectively have to read through hundreds of entries, and therefore you need to make sure your entry stands out. It is essential that you provide all the information the judges need to assess your entry. Here are some tips from the judges:

•Make sure that you allocate enough time to complete the application.

•Read the application form and the rules before starting to complete your entry. This way you will answer the questions being asked and not the question you think you are being asked.

•Imagine you are one of the judges and think through what you would need in order to understand a business and its entry.

The judges may not be familiar with your industry so please avoid jargon and acronyms.

•Be succinct and don’t waffle!

•Quote real figures in your entry; if you cannot substantiate it don’t include it.

•When you have completed your entry, ask someone else to proof read it for clarity, grammar and style

•Do not provide web links as evidence. The judges do not have time to view individual websites.

•Include everything in your entry.

•And Good Luck!

If you need advice or guidance on how to complete your entry form, a member of the awards team will be happy to speak to you and help you through the entry process. If you would like to take advantage of this assistance, please contact the awards team on 0203 940 1173.

FAQs

Do I have to pay to enter? No entry is completely free.

Must my business be located in Wandsworth to enter? Yes, it must have a trading address in the London Borough of Wandsworth.

Can I enter more than one category? Yes, you can enter as many categories as you like. However, you will need to provide a separate entry form for each category you enter.

What is the deadline for entry? Entry details for the 2018 Awards are open until 7th September 2018.

Do I need to pay to attend the Awards Ceremony and Dinner? Yes, there is a charge. Information will be available nearer the time.

Will I know I have won before I buy tickets? No, winners will only be announced at the ceremony.

Judging Process

Once you have registered your business for the awards, you will be sent a link to the relevant category questionnaire(s) by email or you can download it/them from our awards website.

The first stage of the judging process will be undertaken by the awards team who will score your entry against set criteria. The awards team will draw up a shortlist of entrants to go forward to a final judging day based on these scores. Between four and six companies will be chosen per category.

You will be notified by the awards team if you have been shortlisted. If your application has not been successful, you will receive feedback on your application if requested.

Entries for all categories will then be handed over to a member of the judging panel. The judge will review and score the entries ready for the allocated judging day.

Shortlisted entrants will be invited to a judging day for a face-to-face interview with the category judge. Each interview will take 30 minutes, and if you are shortlisted for more than one category it is possible that you will have more than one interview.

Once all the interviews have been completed, the judges will form a panel meeting and select who the category winners are, and then the overall Business of the Year.

The winners will be announced at the gala dinner and awards ceremony; all shortlisted businesses will be invited to attend. Winners will not be informed before the awards dinner.